This presentation was given as part of the EPA-funded Catchment Science and Management Course focusing on Integrated Catchment Management, held in June 2015. This course was delivered by RPS Consultants. If you have any queries or comments, or wish to use the material in this presentation, please contact catchments@epa.ie It is increasingly being recognised internationally that integrated catchment management (ICM) is a useful organising framework for tackling the ongoing challenge of balancing sustainable use and development of our natural resource, against achieving environmental goals. The basic principles of ICM (Williams, 2012) are to: • Take a holistic and integrated approach to the management of land, biodiversity, water and community resources at the water catchment scale; • Involve communities in planning and managing their landscapes; and • Find a balance between resource use and resource conservation ICM is now well established in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. In Europe the ICM approach has been proposed as being required to achieve effective water and catchment management, and is the approach being promoted by DEFRA for the UK, where it is called the “Catchment Based Approach” (CaBA). The principles and methodologies behind ICM sit well within the context of the Water Framework Directive with its aims and objectives for good water quality, sustainable development and public participation in water resource management. In Ireland it is proposed that the ICM approach will underlie the work and philosophy in developing and implementing future River Basin Management Plans.

1. Catchment
Management
Tools and mechanisms to integrate the
outcomes into the planning system

2. Objective
• Appreciate existing linkages between catchment management and the planning
system.
• Recognise that the planning system is a key tool to implementation of RBMPs.
• Understand what is needed to deliver a water-friendly planning system.
• Get feedback!
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

3. Structure of presentation
• Policy Context.
• Legislative context as it relates to planning & RBMPs.
• What guidance is out there?
• Existing RBMPs + interaction with planning system.
• Developing appropriate & measurable policies.
• Next cycle of RBMPs.
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

4. Why do we need sync planning & catchment
management?
No water. No life. No blue. No green. Sylvia Earle
• Impact on water resources & aquatic health;
• Constraints on new development due to lack of water supply and waste water
treatment capacity;
• Missed opportunities for cost-saving;
• Increased flood risk;
• Poorer quality environments in which we live;
• Impact on our health and well-being.
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

5. A water-friendly planning system
• What is a water-friendly planning system?
• Do we have one?
• How can we deliver one?
• Water is seen as a constraint or a challenge to development.
The planning system has a key role to play in delivering the requirements of the WFD
through its influence on location, layout and design of new development.
Planning authorities are ideally placed to address pressures on the water environment
associated with land-use.
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

6. How does the Planning System Work?
• 3-pronged approach:
– Forward Planning
– Development Management
– Enforcement
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

7. Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments
Policy Framework
National Spatial Strategy
Regional Planning Guidelines
City/County Development Plans
Local Area Plans
Local Economic and Community Plan
National Planning Framework
Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies

8. Linking Water Policy to Development
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

9. Spatial Scale
Planning Advice for
Integrated Water
Management,
University of
Cambridge

10. Legislative Context: General
• Public authorities must (S.I. 722 of 2003):
– exercise its functions ……..which achieves or promotes compliance with the
requirements of the Directive
– take such actions …….secure compliance with the Directive, RBMP and POMs
i.e. responsibility of planning authorities to ensure that future development does
not negatively impact on the achievement of WFD objectives and to implement
measures where necessary.
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

11. Forward Planning (1)
• Legislative Context…
• Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 includes an important
provision in support of the WFD:
a mandatory objective (of development plans ) requires local authorities to
integrate water management with planning policies and objectives in preparing
their development plans….
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

12. Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments
Legislative Context
A development plan shall include an objective for:
“the promotion of compliance with environmental standards and objectives
established—
for bodies of surface water, by the European Communities (Surface Waters)
Regulations 2009;
for groundwater, by the European Communities (Groundwater) Regulations 2010;
which standards and objectives are included in river basin management plans (within
the meaning of Regulation 13 of the European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations
2003

13. Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments
Legislative Context
A development plan shall include an objective for:
“the promotion of compliance with environmental standards and objectives
established—
for bodies of surface water, by the European Communities (Surface Waters)
Regulations 2009;
for groundwater, by the European Communities (Groundwater) Regulations 2010;
which standards and objectives are included in river basin management plans (within
the meaning of Regulation 13 of the European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations
2003

14. Legislative Context
• Complex to understand!
• The effect of this explicit new linking provision is that the policies and objectives of
all development plans must be specifically aligned with the applicable RBMP.
• As a result, development plans are now in effect required to be key agents for
achieving WFD objectives.
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

15. Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments
How do we align RBMPs and DPs?
• First need to understand the RBMP objectives
• The RBMPs establish the following core environmental objectives to be achieved
generally by 2015 and beyond:
– prevent deterioration in status;
– restore good status;
– reduce chemical pollution;
– achieve water related protected areas objectives.
• Future land-use plans should ensure that they contribute to achieving these
environmental objectives and other relevant objectives in RBMPs.

16. Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments
How do we align RBMPs and DPs?
• First need to understand the RBMP objectives
• The RBMPs establish the following core environmental objectives to be achieved
generally by 2015 and beyond:
– prevent deterioration in status;
– restore good status;
– reduce chemical pollution;
– achieve water related protected areas objectives.
• Future land-use plans should ensure that they contribute to achieving these
environmental objectives and other relevant objectives in RBMPs.

17. • Water Services Strategic Plan
– Has to be consistent with RBMPs, NSS & Regional Planning Guidelines
– Development plans have to have regard to WSSP and provision of
infrastructure
• Linking provision of infrastructure to WSSP
– getting the right type and quality of development, in the right place and at the
right time
How do we align RBMPs and DPs?
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

18. Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments
Use full range of DP Objectives
• Supplementary objectives (Planning Act) should be assessed against RBMP
objectives e.g. Regulating, restricting and controlling:
– the development of coastal areas and development in the vicinity of
inland waterways;
– development in order to reduce the risk of serious danger to human
health or the environment;
– the exploitation of natural resources;
– development on the foreshore, or any part of the foreshore;
– Protecting and preserving the quality of the environment, including the
prevention, limitation, elimination, abatement or reduction of
environmental pollution and the protection of waters, groundwater, the
seashore and the atmosphere.

19. What Guidance is out there?
• Nationally, not a lot!
• Waiting on DECLG guidance which is due to be published
as an Appendix to the revised DP Guidelines: How to
improve integration of RBMPs and DP’s.
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

20. Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments
What Guidance is out there?
• Nationally, not a lot!
• Waiting on DECLG guidance which is due to be published
as an Appendix to the revised DP Guidelines: How to
improve integration of RBMPs and DP’s.

21. Existing RBMPs & Planning
• Has been a ‘disconnect’ between the implementation of RBMPs and DPs. The
objectives in the RBMPs have not always translated coherently into DPs.
• Reference to integration through the SEA process in RBMPs.
• ‘Development Plan Guidance on the Water Environment’ – SEPA, February 2015 –
very useful re SEA process
Source: Register of Plans and Programmes
Background Document to the River Basin
Management Plans Development
Management, December 2008

22. SEA, HDA + Evidence-based Planning
• RBMP process can provide a robust evidence base to help the key planning stages of
spatial planning, including informing alternative scenarios.
• Evidence base for preparing DPs can also be facilitated through SEA & (Habitats
Directive Assessment) HDA.
• SEA should consider the effects of policies on the water environment.
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

23. Evidence-based Planning & DP
• Baseline information…e.g. wfdireland.ie; gis.epa.ie/envision; edenireland.ie
– local water body status, risk scores, objectives and measures
– Water management unit action plans
• Groundwater vulnerability, GW Protection Areas etc (GSI
https://www.gsi.ie/Mapping.htm)
• Annual environmental reports (AERs)?
• (Emerging) Water Safety Plans
• Wetlands inventory..?
• Consultation with key stakeholders: critical to a well-informed plan
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

25. Appropriate DP Policies, e.g
• Conserve, enhance and give access to watercourses and riverside habitats;
• Encourage development proposals to improve the water environment, e.g. restoring
‘natural’ watercourses through the removal of culverts;
• Protect sensitive locations, e.g. wetland habitat and drinking water supplies;
• Seek upgrades to local water infrastructure (water supply, wastewater sewerage and
treatment, flood risk mgt, sustainable drainage and green/blue infrastructure)
• Support an integrated and collaborative approach to local catchment management
• Restrict exempted development in sensitive locations?
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

26. Statement to accompany DPs
• The written statement of the development plan is required to include a separate
statement which shows that the development objectives are consistent with the
conservation and protection of the environment. S 10(1D)
• Statement should address the environmental objectives as set out in the RBMPs.
The SEA process should facilitate the drafting of such a statement.
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

27. Development Management(2)
• Encourage the incorporation of sustainable drainage systems into new
developments;
• Where required, applications to be accompanied by a water management
statement which identifies water cycle issues and the means of addressing
these;
• Relies on Development Plan policy;
• Use of environmental assessments for schemes where local evidence shows
there might be significant impacts on water bodies.
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

28. Development Management (cont)
• Environmental Assessments, e.g.
– Habitats Directive Assessments
– Environmental Impact Assessment
– WFD Assessment (NIEA 2012)
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

29. Enforcement
• Resource intensive
• Costly
• Time intensive
• Measurable compliance procedures would be beneficial, & linked to SEA
objectives to help secure implementation
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

30. Next cycle of RBMPs
• Engage with planning authorities in contributing to the next cycle
• Questions arising:
– what are the RBMP outputs and how can they be used to inform land-use and
spatial planning?
– Will the POMs be sufficiently detailed to be of value to the planning system?
– What are the potential risks of various potential forms and patterns of
development to achieving water objectives?
• Support Tools should help in the day-day management of development control and in
forward planning through evidence based planning.
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

31. Summary
• Room for improvement across all levels and sectors of planning;
• WFD and Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) needs to be imbedded at
a national and regional scale – statutory context;
• Through the new ‘National Planning Framework’ & ‘Regional Spatial &
Economic Strategies’;
• These will influence County Development Plans and Local Area Plans and
development management;
• Need robust objectives and measurable compliance measures;
• Scientific evidence needed to support policy!
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

32. TAKE HOME MESSAGE!
• Increase awareness of Catchment Managers of the planning system and how
it can influence catchment management
• Increase awareness of the Planner of catchment management and its
integration with the planning system
• Land-use planning and RBM planning needs to develop and deliver hand in
hand
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments